Clemon H. Wesley Jr.

WESLEY CLEMON HERBERT WESLEY, JR. (Age 73) A retired Army Colonel, President/CEO, TEXCOM, Inc., and a Philanthropist, died Monday, April 20, 2009 at the hospital in Norfolk, VA, after a brief illness. Mr. Wesley was a native of Hawkins, Texas. After graduating from Prairie View A&M College in 1957, with an Electrical Engineering Degree, he entered the Army Signal Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. While studying at Prairie View, Clemon met and fell in love with Modestine Delores Truvillion. Clemon and Modestine were married on September 27, 1958. Modestine, his wife of 46 years died in 2005. Mr. Wesley served on several Corporate Boards, including Carefirst, Inc., of Maryland and RESPECT Foundation, the civil-rights organization founded in reaction to issues in the African-American community, especially an Annapolis ordinance forbidding loitering in certain neighborhoods. The ordinance later was struck down by the courts. "He was a visionary who realized people had helped him along the way on his journey," said the Rev. Mamie E. Williams, a RESPECT co-founder. "And he had a profound understanding for the need to give back." Former Anne Arundel County Executive, Janet S. Owens said it was a sad day. "He did so many good things for the community in such a short time. John Wilson, whom Wesley recruited to lead RESPECT for a year but ended up staying on several years past that, noted his friend and colleague could be described best by the name of the organization he founded. Wesley served on the first local committee studying the Base Realignment and Closure process, a national consolidation of military bases. And he was president and chairman of the Fort Meade Alliance. He described himself as a maverick adventurer, gliding just below the radar during the last half century, blazing trails less traveled by the masses. He spent his elementary, secondary and undergraduate years in segregated schools prior to passage and implementation of the 1954 United States Supreme Court School Desegregation decision. He experienced two remarkable careers: as an Army Officer and an Entrepreneur. During his military career he pioneered the automation of Stock Record Accounting in Army battlefield logistics units during the Viet Nam conflict. He retired as a Regular Army Colonel with twenty-four years of service in 1982. Immediately after his Army Retirement, Clemon formed TEXCOM, Inc, a diversified Telecommunications Corporation focused on Computer networks and telephone systems. TEXCOM has been a pioneer in the minority business community for the past twenty-five years and grossed in excess of $300 million dollars. Clemon leaves to cherish his memory two daughters, Yolanda Wesley and Deborah Hall; one son, Eric Wesley (Ruth); five grandchildren, Wesley Lovell Harper, Kaylyn Renay Wesley, Logan Alexander Wesley, Robert Austin Wesley, and Kennedy Elizabeth Wesley; one sister, Mae Clark; three brothers, William Wesley (Minnie), Curtis Wesley (Barbara), and Raymond Wesley; devoted nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. His contributions to his family, his race and all humankind are unique and remarkable. "Like a gaseous vapor, we only appear, to be here, for a little while, and then we vanish. "The legacy lives on through his Memoirs." Funeral Services Tuesday, April 28, 9 a.m. viewing, 11 a.m. service, First Christian Community Church, 1800 Hall Brown Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Repass immediately following interment. St. Phillips Episcopal Church Family Life Center, 730 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. In Lieu of flowers, please contribute to Clemon Herbert Wesley and Modestine Wesley Scholarship Fund, c/o TEXCOM, Inc., 600 Washington Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704. The Family will be accepting condolences Monday, April 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Country Inn and Suites (Meeting Room), 2600 Housely Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 571-6700.The Family will be accepting condolences Monday, April 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Country Inn and Suites (Meeting Room), 2600 Housely Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 571-6700.